Pathe Demonstration Record 1914 played on a Pathe Solophone Phonograph

Here is an original Pathe Demonstration Record "Exhibiting the superiority of tone of a Pathe Recording."
I would imagine that this recording was used by Pathe Dealers across the USA when Pathe was trying to gain a foothold in the American Phonograph Market beginning in 1914. The record promotes the advantages of the permanent Sapphire ball needle used to play the Vertical Groove Pathe records and the fact that they will not rip and tear and wear your record like the Steel needle system of the Competitors.
The Phonograph is a very rare Pathe Solophone Model 125 from the late 19teens. The Solophone Phonograph was mfg. by the Solophone Phonograph Company of Harrison, New Jersey (Note the face of the reproducer still says SOLOPHONE not Pathe), and was originally advertised in "Talking Machine World" in 1916. The Company was not in business very long and their remaining inventory of phonographs were probably bought up by Pathe, and The ID plates were changed and the Phonographs were then sold as a Pathe Solophone. According to "Pathe Phonographs & Records in America 1914-1922 " this is thought to be the only survivor of this model known to exist. The reproducer is also capable of playing regular lateral groove records by removing the Pathe Sapphire Ball needle and inserting a regular steel needle after adjusting the set screw and swiveling the head to the correct position for play. As far as I can see the Solophone Phonograph had only one unique feature, notice at the tone arm base, that there is a small gold lever. This moves in semi-circle back and forth and operates a rotating baffle inside the base of the Tone arm as a "Tone" or Volume control. It is the only phonograph I have come across with the rotating internal baffle.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Pathe Phonograph
• Vertical Groove Record
• 78rpm
• Gramophone
• Solophone

[chompo7]

how can i find out the date and value of my pathe phonograph? i looked several places but can find any

ifno on these phonographs.i got it several years ago

but someone replaced the pathe reproducer with a standard reproducer.

joe

[victrolaman]

If you have a fairly common Pathe Model Phonograph, I would suggest looking under "Completed Auctions" in Ebay. When you get to Ebay go to advanced search. Then type in Pathe Phonograph and go down below and check completed auctions then click on search and see if any models similar to yours come up as sold and look at the price. What is the model # of your Phonograph from the Pathe ID plate. I might be able to date it from my "Pathe Phonographs in America Book".

[victrolaman]

I can find a Model 50 Table Model in my book and it is from 1914, so I assume yours is also a Table model? If so, I believe it is safe to assume that it was from 1914 as well.

[tiga4180]

Thanks for uploading this, I much enjoyed the demonstration disc, and reading about your 'Solophone' I use a 'Marathon' gramophone for some of my uploads, it also has a swivel, making it possible to play 'Marathon' records. 'Marathons' were only produced 1912-1915, an early attempt at long playing. They were vertical cut, but played with a steel needle. Pathes could, of course be played, provided a stylus was fitted. I sometimes upload Pathes & Marathons on my channel.

[sideshowtink]

What an awesome disc! Teaching us from the past. Fabulous!

[RaymondTVinyl]

Very educational! I love learning stuff like this. Thanks so much for sharing your collection!

[crocodile1374]

I believe the gentleman says: " Pathe!" As that is how I'm hearing it pronounced, Hey, did you guys know, that Pathewas & is a French company whom originally sold their wares all over the world? For futher information, I should reccomend you go to google, & type in Pathe electronics & you just might find all the information you need!

[crocodile1374]

Very true, I confess, I haven't any information ast o who the announcer is, but I can genuinely say that his English was absolutely perfect: long may he rest in peace! Snd I genuinely iwhs all of you youtubers a very merry Christmas & a happy new year!

[Lucius1958]

Interesting! The announcer sounds like Len Spencer, who also did the Edison Advertising Record; this must have been recorded in 1914, shortly before he died....

[dewey70]

Is he introducing it as 'Paddie' or 'Pattie?' I always thought it was pronounced 'Path-ay.'

[CoolDudeClem]

It seems strange to hear one of these with english on it instead of french.

[bagpuss211]

Why don't you try searching on Google? Should you type in Phonographs, you may very well be lucky!

[bagpuss211]

Ditto! I wholeheartedly agree with you: whilst record players and records are still widely available, there aren't nearly so many of this particular style and swish model around! BRING 'EM ON BACK, PLEASE?!